HOLMES
Holmes
Holmes is a popular English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. The surname derives from the Old English "hol," meaning hollow or valley, and "ham," meaning homestead or village. Thus, Holmes originally referred to someone who lived near a hollow or in a valley.
Origins and History
The Holmes surname can be traced back to the early medieval period in England. The first recorded instance of the surname dates back to the 12th century, with various spellings such as Holme and Holms appearing in historical records. The name was often linked to geographic features in England, with many families adopting the surname based on their place of residence.
Notable Bearers
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Sherlock Holmes: While fictional, Sherlock Holmes is perhaps the most famous bearer of the Holmes surname. Created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes is a brilliant detective known for his logical reasoning and forensic skills.
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Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.: An American physician, poet, and author, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. was a prominent figure in 19th-century literature and academia. He was also the father of Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., a renowned jurist.
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Katie Holmes: An American actress best known for her role as Joey Potter on the television series Dawson's Creek. She has also appeared in films such as Batman Begins and The Gift.
Distribution
The Holmes surname is widespread not only in England but also in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The surname has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration and colonization.
Variants
Variants of the Holmes surname include Holme, Holms, Holman, and Holbrook, among others. These variations may have arisen from regional differences in dialects and pronunciation over time.
In contemporary times, the Holmes surname continues to be a common and recognizable name, often associated with intelligence, creativity, and resourcefulness due to its famous fictional namesake.
There are approximately 66,057 people named Holmes in the UK. That makes it the 97th most common surname in Britain. Around 1,014 in a million people in Britain are named Holmes.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Julie
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.